Drinking water filters

[rob-the-oil-nut]

Thanks very much, all of you. I am surprised that there is no reference to 1-micron filters, cryposporidium, (fecal) choliform...we had gone to a water place nearby, they have the 10-gallon plastic bottles for dispensers and lots of other stuff, and the gal (sales lady) suggested our best overall solution would be the aforementioned 2 filters under the sink; a charcoal pre-filter and the 1 micron unit in series after that.
Hmmmmm, I think I'll print up this thread and pass it around for discussion...
Thanks again
Rob

 

[T-Keith]

quote:

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Originally posted by GSV:
Our water comes from wells that sit at about 9300 feet (altitude). It tastes great.

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I bet the water in Northern MN tastes better. It has a nice brown/red tint to it too. MMMMM.

-T

 

[White 03]

I have been thinking of the 1 micron filter and charcoal filters setup at the sink in my house. My neighbor uses a 1 micron filter and with our water it plugs up frequently. But it can be cleaned. This set up should get rid of all the things that are in my water but I will probably still have to clorinate. We both have indivual water systems, pretty rural.

One thing with the charcoal in front of the 1 micron I bet everytime you change the charcoal filter you will have a plugged up 1 micron for the next week.

We might need to use three filters with a 5 micron then the 1 micron then the charcoal. This should keep the 1 micron in the chorine stream to prevent things growing on it. Whole house filteration to this level would be out of the question with my water.

Let us know what you find out.

Thanks

 

[Mark in NY]

I have long been concerned about this issue and my family has been using some type of filter for all household drinking water for over 20 years.
An activated carbon block type is about the all around best compromise.
The small granular carbon filters mentioned above really are not good enough if you are concerned about your water.
The Amway carbon block filter I bought 15 years ago was the best at the time since it was about the only block type available then. Since then the carbon block type has become more widespread.

Consumers Reports rated the $80 Sears undersink unit a best buy last year. It uses 2 filter elements. The pre-filter is for relatively larger particles. The secondary filter is a carbon block. About $14 each to replace once or twice a year. I bought this one a few months ago and am pleased with it.

 

[labman]

I have a standard whole house filter that uses cartridge filters. I use 5 micron filters with charcoal from Ace hardware. They do a good job stopping iron and foul tasting hydrocarbons. Unfortunately they maybe average lasting 2 weeks. Still, about $10 a month for much better tasting water. I also have the Culligan portable water softener tank replaced every 2 weeks. It does a good job on the lime.

 

[rob-the-oil-nut]

Mark in NY, do me a favor & send me all you can on that Sears $80, posting here or email or PM me. I have loaned my Consumer Reports book out, plus it may be a tad different up in Canada.
I am thankful that I can open up the tap and run water in a cup and drink it. Tap water vs Brita water, you almost have to have them side-by-side in a taste test. Some people claim they can tell the difference with one sip, and I believe them, and maybe I can too, I just don't think about it that much.
I suppose we in 95% of Canada have it really good, and things are sure to get better now that it's a full year or two after Walkerton (a few people died because the water "engineers" knew less about water than most high-schoolers...caused new regulations, AFTER the big uproar and inquests

Thanks again
Rob

 

[Mark in NY]

An extract of the ratings sent by PM

The link to the particular unit on Sears.com is -

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/search.do?BV_SessionID=@@@@0751734469.1096028606@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccihadcmimdkjdjcehgcemgdffmdflg.0&verticalFullName=&keyword=38460&displayTarget=sear chresults

Mark